The best Chicago hotels for families combine kid-friendly amenities, convenient locations near local attractions, and extra-special touches that help make traveling with children a little easier.
Even though we live in the suburbs, my family loves taking little vacations in the city itself. Chicago is a global destination with tons to see and do, after all! And getting out of our normal routines is a great way to combat the winter blues.
So whether you’re planning a staycation or traveling from out of town, our curated list of the best Chicago hotels for families great place to start planning your trip. Here’s to making lasting memories and returning home refreshed!
What We Look For in a Great Hotel for Families
When we’re choosing a downtown Chicago hotel for our family vacations, we look for as many of the following criteria as possible. Most hotels won’t tick all of these boxes, but deciding which are most important to your family can help narrow down all of the options.
- Suites or rooms with separation. Especially when traveling with young children who usually sleep in their own rooms, having some separation goes a long way. Kids with early bedtimes can get good shut-eye while grown-ups stay up later in the living space.
- Kitchenettes. Even if we’re planning to be out and about, sampling unique Chicago restaurants, it’s always a relief to have a space to stash a few snacks and staples… or leftovers from a dinner out! Hotel rooms with kitchenettes (or “self-catering,” if you’re coming in from Europe) are also more likely to have a table, which helps keep crumbs contained and provides a place for board games, too.
- Free breakfast. If you asked my kids, this would be their number-one hotel criteria. They are obsessed with breakfast buffets. And it’s nice to start the day with a good meal, free of charge!
- Indoor pools. If you’re planning an action-packed day out in the city, this may not be as important to you. But if your trip has space for some down-time, an indoor pool can be an awesome way for kids to splash and play! (If this is your only criteria, hop on over to our list of 25 Chicagoland hotels with indoor pools.)
- Convenient transportation options. “Convenient” will change depending on where you’re coming from and what you’re planning to do. This might mean onsite parking or easy access from public transportation, depending on the location. For my family, if we’re staying close to Downtown Chicago or right in the Loop, we prefer to stick with trains and buses; hotels further out, such as by the Museum Campus, can be easier to reach by car.
- Kid-friendly vibe. Some parents are very comfortable taking their little ones to the poshest of destinations, where I assume the children behave with beautiful manners and would not ever dream of doing somersaults off the chic velvet lobby sofa during check-in. For the rest of us, I’ve looked for hotels that go out of their way signal that kids are welcome. These signs might include special packages for kids, rooms marked as being for families, the availability of “cots” or pack-and-plays for babies, or high chairs and kids meals in the lobby restaurant.
Best Downtown Chicago Hotels for Families
These mid-priced hotels offer families a solid option for their day out in Chicago. If you’re looking for an extra-special winter package, scroll down a bit further to see hotels offering special packages!
Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown River North
600 North State Street
Chicago, IL, 60654
If you’re looking to be near all the action on State Street, near Water Tower Place and Navy Pier, this Embassy Suites is in a great location. They have both traditional rooms and suites available. My kids loved the “evening reception” because they are always excited for free snacks; the indoor pool and rotunda-style layout were fun for them, too.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Downtown/Magnificent Mile
216 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Located right off the Magnificent Mile, this hotel is within walking distance of tons of Chicago activities. A morning breakfast buffet is included with your stay. The rooms are definitely on the smaller side, as you’ll often find in such a prime location, but if you have a family with four or fewer it makes a well located home base for a day out in the city.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown West Loop
118 N Jefferson
Chicago, IL, 60661
Located very close to Ogilvie Transportation Center, as well as Union Station, this all-suites hotel features free hot breakfast, an in-room kitchen, and an indoor pool. We found it to be a great home base when traveling into the city via Metra, with easy bus and train routes to major destinations, as well as access to fun restaurants on Randolph Street and nearby. There’s also a Homewood Suites well-situated by the Museum Campus, too. We have stayed at both and enjoyed the extra space!
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk
301 East North Water Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1000
The Sheraton Grand is located on the Chicago River, with great views in every direction. It’s a huge hotel with an accompanying plethora of room choices, from standard hotel rooms to suites with kitchenettes. They also have an indoor pool. It’s very close to many attractions, but feels a bit more tucked away than a hotel right on State Street or Michigan Avenue.
Special Chicago Winter Hotel Packages
Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop
28 N Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 955-0950
For an extra $50 per night, Hyatt Place Chicago’s Santa’s Suite Dreams package features PJs and slippers, hot cocoa, and sweet treats with milk. See their Facebook promotion for details on how to book.
Loews Chicago
455 North Park Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 840-6600
Loews goes all out to make a winter stay extra cozy. The Nordic Night Lights package includes a suite decked out with a Northern Lights theme, plus woodland animals and cozy details like a pop-up play tent. The Arctic Dreams package has you stay in a regular room, but with special extras like a pop-up tent and special welcome treat.
Swissotel Chicago
323 E. Wacker Drive
Chicago IL 60601
(312) 565-0565
The Swissotel Kid’s Room allows you to book a room with 50% off the adjoining room for your kids. You also have access to age-appropirate toys, movies, and games, a play corner, age-appropriate bed and bathroom linens, special bathroom amenities, book selection, and family board games. To top it off, they cater the experience to the ages of your kids, with features for babies and toddlers, young children, and teenagers (PlayStation at the hotel, anyone?). Breakfast for children under 12 years old is free and children over 12 years old are 50% off.
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago
160 East Pearson Street
Water Tower Place
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-1000
Heading to American Girl Place? Take it over the top with the Ritz-Carlton’s American Girl Package, which includes a take-home American Girl doll travel bed, American Girl keepsake, and turndown for one child and one doll.
The Ritz-Carlton also offer accommodations for kids year round, called Ritz Kids. A candy cart comes to your hotel room door and child-sized bathrobes and complimentary children’s toiletries are left in your room. They also welcome children with their famous red wagon so your kids can choose a toy of their choice to take home. When dining at the hotel’s restaurants, they are given a Chicago-themed coloring book and Ritz Kids Healthy Menus.
Omni Chicago
676 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 944-6664
Omni offers an American Girl Place Package that includes a welcome letter, American Girl doll pajama set with slippers, Americal Girl Bedtime Book, American Girl fold-out bed to take home, cookies and milk, and more.
The Langham, Chicago
330 N. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 923-9988
Playtime with Paddington at The Langham is a special partnership with Paddington to provide the use of a Paddington-themed tent, pillow cases, bed runner, and children’s robe. Kids also receive a Paddington plush and children’s slippers to take home. They will enjoy a Paddington cookie as a welcome too. Book now through December 31, 2024.
The Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-2888
Bring the holidays right to your hotel room with this luxury hotel’s Holly Jolly Family Holiday Package. Choose a Christmas tree or Menorah inside your room, get access to holiday-themed books and games, and enjoy complimentary breakfast. All kids staying at this hotel can visit the complimentary candy shop, go swimming, and more.
Kid-Friendly Amenities at the Best Chicago Hotels for Families
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago gives each family a Sammy the Skyscraper activity book at check-in. Their mascot, Sammy the Skyscraper, highlights various Chicago landmarks with educational arts and crafts.
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago offers accommodations for kids year round, including a toy from the red wagon when you check in, candy cart that stops by your room, and coloring book when you dine at the hotel.
Omni Chicago has a Junior Chefs program that gives children a welcome tote that includes a lunch bag, organic snacks, to-go cup, crayons, activity book, and a Say Goodnight to Hunger postcard that they can turn into the front desk to donate a meal to Feeding America.
Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile hosts Dive In Movie nights on Friday and Saturday nights from 6-8pm with complimentary refreshments and oversized floats. You must be a hotel guest to attend. Not staying at the Intercontinental? You can purchase a Resort Pass to enjoy their historic 1929 swimming pool and fitness center.
The Gray offers hand-selected children’s books to check out at the front desk and their complimentary On-Demand Family Fridge Program, which helps you safely store breast milk in one of their Mini Me Fridges while staying at the hotel.
The Peninsula Chicago welcomes kids with treats, such as gummy bears, chocolate chip cookies, and popcorn, as well as providing children’s-sized robes and slippers, crib linens and Playstation or Wii setup with advance notice, kids’ maps to explore the city, on-property scavenger hunt, and manicures and pedicures for children at the spa. Make sure to mention your kids’ ages when reserving your room.
Looking for more local trip ideas? Hotels with indoor pools are also a huge hit with kids!
